Florida Senate - 2014         (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL) SPB 7058
       
       
        
       FOR CONSIDERATION By the Committee on Commerce and Tourism
       
       
       
       
       
       577-01524C-14                                         20147058__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Department of Economic
    3         Opportunity; amending s. 288.005, F.S.; defining
    4         terms; creating s. 288.006, F.S.; providing
    5         requirements for loan programs relating to
    6         accountability and proper stewardship of funds;
    7         authorizing the Auditor General to conduct audits for
    8         a specified purpose; authorizing the department to
    9         adopt rules; amending s. 331.3051, F.S.; requiring
   10         Space Florida to consult with the Florida Tourism
   11         Industry Marketing Corporation, rather than with
   12         Enterprise Florida, Inc., in developing a space
   13         tourism marketing plan; authorizing Space Florida to
   14         enter into an agreement with the corporation, rather
   15         than with Enterprise Florida, Inc., for a specified
   16         purpose; revising the research and development duties
   17         of Space Florida; repealing s. 443.036(26), relating
   18         to the definition of the term “initial skills review”;
   19         amending s. 443.091, F.S.; deleting the requirement
   20         that an unemployed individual take an initial skill
   21         review before he or she is eligible to receive
   22         reemployment assistance benefits; requiring the
   23         department to make available for such individual a
   24         voluntary online assessment that identifies an
   25         individual’s skills, abilities, and career aptitude;
   26         requiring information from such assessment to be made
   27         available to certain groups; revising the requirement
   28         that the department offer certain training
   29         opportunities; amending s. 443.1116, F.S.; defining
   30         the term “employer sponsored training”; revising the
   31         requirements for a shot-term compensation plan to be
   32         approved by the department; revising the treatment of
   33         fringe benefits in such plan; requiring an employer to
   34         describe the manner in which the employer will
   35         implement the plan; requiring the director to approve
   36         the plan if it is consistent with employer obligations
   37         under law; prohibiting the department from denying
   38         short-time compensation benefits to certain
   39         individuals; amending s. 443.141, F.S.; providing an
   40         employer payment schedule for specified years’
   41         contributions to the Unemployment Compensation Trust
   42         Fund; providing applicability; amending ss. 125.271,
   43         163.3177, 163.3187, 163.3246, 211.3103, 212.098,
   44         218.67, 288.018, 288.065, 288.0655, 288.0656,
   45         288.1088, 288.1089, 290.0055, 339.2819, 339.63,
   46         373.4595, 380.06, 380.0651, 985.686, and 1011.76,
   47         F.S.; renaming “rural areas of critical economic
   48         concern” as “rural areas of opportunity”; amending ss.
   49         215.425 and 443.1216, F.S.; conforming cross
   50         references to changes made by the act; providing an
   51         effective date.
   52          
   53  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   54  
   55         Section 1. Subsections (5) and (6) are added to section
   56  288.005, Florida Statutes, to read:
   57         288.005 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
   58         (5) “Loan administrator” means a statutorily eligible
   59  recipient of state funds which is authorized by the department
   60  to make loans under a loan program.
   61         (6) “Loan program” means a program established in this
   62  chapter to provide appropriated funds to an eligible entity to
   63  further a specific state purpose for a limited period of time.
   64  The term includes a “loan fund” or “loan pilot program”
   65  administered by the department under this chapter.
   66         Section 2. Section 288.006, Florida Statutes, is created to
   67  read:
   68         288.006 General operation of loan programs.—
   69         (1) The Legislature intends to promote the goals of
   70  accountability and proper stewardship by recipients of loan
   71  program funds. This section applies to all loan programs
   72  established under this chapter.
   73         (2) State funds appropriated for a loan program may be used
   74  only by an eligible recipient or loan administrator, and the use
   75  of such funds is restricted to the specific state purpose of the
   76  loan program, subject to any compensation due to a recipient or
   77  loan administrator as provided under this chapter. State funds
   78  may be awarded directly by the department to an eligible
   79  recipient or awarded by the department to a loan administrator.
   80  All state funds, including any interest earned, remain state
   81  funds unless otherwise stated in the statutory requirements of
   82  the loan program.
   83         (3)(a) Upon termination of a loan program by the
   84  Legislature or by statute, all appropriated funds shall revert
   85  to the General Revenue Fund. The department shall pay the entity
   86  for any allowable administrative expenses due to the loan
   87  administrator as provided under this chapter, unless otherwise
   88  required by law.
   89         (b) Upon termination of a contract between the department
   90  and an eligible recipient or loan administrator, all remaining
   91  appropriated funds shall revert to the fund from which the
   92  appropriation was made. The department shall become the
   93  successor entity for any outstanding loans. Except in the case
   94  of the termination of a contract for fraud or a finding that the
   95  recipient or loan administrator was not meeting the terms of the
   96  program, the department shall pay the entity for any allowable
   97  administrative expenses due to the loan administrator as
   98  provided under this chapter.
   99         (c) The eligible recipient or loan administrator to which
  100  this subsection applies shall execute all appropriate
  101  instruments to reconcile any remaining accounts associated with
  102  a terminated loan program or contract. The entity shall execute
  103  all appropriate instruments to ensure that the department is
  104  authorized to collect all receivables for outstanding loans,
  105  including, but not limited to, assignments of promissory notes
  106  and mortgages.
  107         (4) An eligible recipient or loan administrator must avoid
  108  any potential conflict of interest regarding the use of
  109  appropriated funds for a loan program. An eligible recipient or
  110  loan administrator or a board member, employee, or agent thereof
  111  may not have a financial interest in an entity that is awarded a
  112  loan under a loan program. A loan may not be made to a person or
  113  entity if a conflict of interest exists between the parties
  114  involved unless the eligible recipient or loan administrator
  115  provides the department with full disclosure of the conflict of
  116  interest.
  117         (5) In determining eligibility for an entity applying for
  118  the award of funds directly by the department or applying for
  119  selection as a loan administrator for a loan program, the
  120  department shall evaluate each applicant’s business practices,
  121  financial stability, and past performance in other state
  122  programs, in addition to the loan program’s statutory
  123  requirements. Eligibility of an entity applying to be a
  124  recipient or loan administrator may be conditionally granted or
  125  denied outright if the department determines that the entity is
  126  noncompliant with any law, rule, or program requirement.
  127         (6) Recurring use of state funds, including revolving loans
  128  or new negotiable instruments, which have been repaid to the
  129  loan administrator may be made if the loan program’s statutory
  130  structure permits. However, any use of state funds made by a
  131  loan administrator remains subject to subsections (2) and (3),
  132  and compensation to a loan administrator may not exceed any
  133  limitation provided by this chapter.
  134         (7) The Auditor General may conduct audits as provided in
  135  s. 11.45 to verify that the appropriations under each loan
  136  program are expended by the eligible recipient or loan
  137  administrator as required for each program. If the Auditor
  138  General determines that the appropriations are not expended as
  139  required, the Auditor General shall notify the department, which
  140  may pursue recovery of the funds.
  141         (8) The department may adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and
  142  120.54 as necessary to carry out this section.
  143         Section 3. Subsection (5) and paragraph (b) of subsection
  144  (8) of section 331.3051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  145         331.3051 Duties of Space Florida.—Space Florida shall:
  146         (5) Consult with the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  147  Corporation Enterprise Florida, Inc., in developing a space
  148  tourism marketing plan. Space Florida and the Florida Tourism
  149  Industry Marketing Corporation Enterprise Florida, Inc., may
  150  enter into a mutually beneficial agreement that provides funding
  151  to the corporation Enterprise Florida, Inc., for its services to
  152  implement this subsection.
  153         (8) Carry out its responsibility for research and
  154  development by:
  155         (b) Working in collaboration with one or more public or
  156  private universities and other public or private entities to
  157  develop a proposal for a Center of Excellence for Aerospace that
  158  will foster and promote the research necessary to develop
  159  commercially promising, advanced, and innovative science and
  160  technology and will transfer those discoveries to the commercial
  161  sector.
  162         Section 4. Subsection (26) of section 443.036, Florida
  163  Statutes, is repealed.
  164         Section 5. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  165  443.091, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  166         443.091 Benefit eligibility conditions.—
  167         (1) An unemployed individual is eligible to receive
  168  benefits for any week only if the Department of Economic
  169  Opportunity finds that:
  170         (c) To make continued claims for benefits, she or he is
  171  reporting to the department in accordance with this paragraph
  172  and department rules, and participating in an initial skills
  173  review, as directed by the department. Department rules may not
  174  conflict with s. 443.111(1)(b), which requires that each
  175  claimant continue to report regardless of any pending appeal
  176  relating to her or his eligibility or disqualification for
  177  benefits.
  178         1. For each week of unemployment claimed, each report must,
  179  at a minimum, include the name, address, and telephone number of
  180  each prospective employer contacted, or the date the claimant
  181  reported to a one-stop career center, pursuant to paragraph (d).
  182         2. The department must offer an online assessment that
  183  serves to identify an individual’s skills, abilities, and career
  184  aptitude. The skills assessment must be voluntary, and the
  185  department must allow a claimant to choose whether to take the
  186  skills assessment. The online assessment shall be made available
  187  to any person seeking services from a regional workforce board
  188  or a one-stop career center The administrator or operator of the
  189  initial skills review shall notify the department when the
  190  individual completes the initial skills review and report the
  191  results of the review to the regional workforce board or the
  192  one-stop career center as directed by the workforce board. The
  193  department shall prescribe a numeric score on the initial skills
  194  review that demonstrates a minimal proficiency in workforce
  195  skills.
  196         a. If the claimant chooses to take the online assessment,
  197  the outcome of the assessment must be made available to the
  198  claimant, regional workforce board, and one-stop career center.
  199  The department, workforce board, or one-stop career center shall
  200  use the assessment initial skills review to develop a plan for
  201  referring individuals to training and employment opportunities.
  202  Aggregate data on assessment outcomes may be made available to
  203  Workforce Florida, Inc., and Enterprise Florida, Inc., for use
  204  in the development of policies related to education and training
  205  programs that will ensure that businesses in this state have
  206  access to a skilled and competent workforce The failure of the
  207  individual to comply with this requirement will result in the
  208  individual being determined ineligible for benefits for the week
  209  in which the noncompliance occurred and for any subsequent week
  210  of unemployment until the requirement is satisfied. However,
  211  this requirement does not apply if the individual is exempt from
  212  the work registration requirement as set forth in paragraph (b).
  213         b.3.Individuals Any individual who falls below the minimal
  214  proficiency score prescribed by the department in subparagraph
  215  2. on the initial skills review shall be informed of and offered
  216  services through the one-stop delivery system, including career
  217  counseling, provision of skill match and job market information,
  218  and skills upgrade and other training opportunities, and shall
  219  be encouraged to participate in such services training at no
  220  cost to the individuals individual in order to improve his or
  221  her workforce skills to the minimal proficiency level.
  222         4. The department shall coordinate with Workforce Florida,
  223  Inc., the workforce boards, and the one-stop career centers to
  224  identify, develop, and use utilize best practices for improving
  225  the skills of individuals who choose to participate in skills
  226  upgrade and other training opportunities. The department may
  227  contract with an entity to create the online assessment in
  228  accordance with the competitive bidding requirements in s.
  229  287.057. The online assessment must work seamlessly with the
  230  Reemployment Assistance Claims and Benefits Information System
  231  and who have a minimal proficiency score below the score
  232  prescribed in subparagraph 2.
  233         5. The department, in coordination with Workforce Florida,
  234  Inc., the workforce boards, and the one-stop career centers,
  235  shall evaluate the use, effectiveness, and costs associated with
  236  the training prescribed in subparagraph 3. and report its
  237  findings and recommendations for training and the use of best
  238  practices to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
  239  Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2013.
  240         Section 6. Subsections (1), (2), and (5) of section
  241  443.1116, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  242         443.1116 Short-time compensation.—
  243         (1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
  244         (a) “Affected unit” means a specified plant, department,
  245  shift, or other definable unit of two or more employees
  246  designated by the employer to participate in a short-time
  247  compensation plan.
  248         (b) “Employer-sponsored training” means a training
  249  component sponsored by an employer to improve the skills of the
  250  employer’s workers.
  251         (c)(b) “Normal weekly hours of work” means the number of
  252  hours in a week that an individual would regularly work for the
  253  short-time compensation employer, not to exceed 40 hours,
  254  excluding overtime.
  255         (d)(c) “Short-time compensation benefits” means benefits
  256  payable to individuals in an affected unit under an approved
  257  short-time compensation plan.
  258         (e)(d) “Short-time compensation employer” means an employer
  259  with a short-time compensation plan in effect.
  260         (f)(e) “Short-time compensation plan” or “plan” means an
  261  employer’s written plan for reducing unemployment under which an
  262  affected unit shares the work remaining after its normal weekly
  263  hours of work are reduced.
  264         (2) APPROVAL OF SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION PLANS.—An employer
  265  wishing to participate in the short-time compensation program
  266  must submit a signed, written, short-time plan to the Department
  267  of Economic Opportunity for approval. The director or his or her
  268  designee shall approve the plan if:
  269         (a) The plan applies to and identifies each specific
  270  affected unit;
  271         (b) The individuals in the affected unit are identified by
  272  name and social security number;
  273         (c) The normal weekly hours of work for individuals in the
  274  affected unit are reduced by at least 10 percent and by not more
  275  than 40 percent;
  276         (d) The plan includes a certified statement by the employer
  277  that the aggregate reduction in work hours is in lieu of
  278  temporary layoffs that would affect at least 10 percent of the
  279  employees in the affected unit and that would have resulted in
  280  an equivalent reduction in work hours;
  281         (e) The plan applies to at least 10 percent of the
  282  employees in the affected unit;
  283         (f) The plan is approved in writing by the collective
  284  bargaining agent for each collective bargaining agreement
  285  covering any individual in the affected unit;
  286         (g) The plan does not serve as a subsidy to seasonal
  287  employers during the off-season or as a subsidy to employers who
  288  traditionally use part-time employees; and
  289         (h) The plan certifies that, if the employer provides
  290  fringe benefits to any employee whose workweek is reduced under
  291  the program, the fringe benefits will continue to be provided to
  292  the employee participating in the short-time compensation
  293  program under the same terms and conditions as though the
  294  workweek of such employee had not been reduced or to the same
  295  extent as other employees not participating in the short-time
  296  compensation program the manner in which the employer will treat
  297  fringe benefits of the individuals in the affected unit if the
  298  hours of the individuals are reduced to less than their normal
  299  weekly hours of work. As used in this paragraph, the term
  300  “fringe benefits” includes, but is not limited to, health
  301  insurance, retirement benefits under defined benefit pension
  302  plans as defined in subsection 35 of s. 1002 of the Employee
  303  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C., contributions
  304  under a defined contribution plan as defined in s. 414(i) of the
  305  Internal Revenue Code, paid vacation and holidays, and sick
  306  leave;.
  307         (i) The plan describes the manner in which the requirements
  308  of this subsection will be implemented, including a plan for
  309  giving notice, if feasible, to an employee whose workweek is to
  310  be reduced, together with an estimate of the number of layoffs
  311  that would have occurred absent the ability to participate in
  312  short-time compensation; and
  313         (j) The terms of the employer’s written plan and
  314  implementation are consistent with employer obligations under
  315  applicable federal laws and laws of this state.
  316         (5) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION
  317  BENEFITS.—
  318         (a) Except as provided in this subsection, an individual is
  319  eligible to receive short-time compensation benefits for any
  320  week only if she or he complies with this chapter and the
  321  Department of Economic Opportunity finds that:
  322         1. The individual is employed as a member of an affected
  323  unit in an approved plan that was approved before the week and
  324  is in effect for the week;
  325         2. The individual is able to work and is available for
  326  additional hours of work or for full-time work with the short
  327  time employer; and
  328         3. The normal weekly hours of work of the individual are
  329  reduced by at least 10 percent but not by more than 40 percent,
  330  with a corresponding reduction in wages.
  331         (b) The department may not deny short-time compensation
  332  benefits to an individual who is otherwise eligible for these
  333  benefits for any week by reason of the application of any
  334  provision of this chapter relating to availability for work,
  335  active search for work, or refusal to apply for or accept work
  336  from other than the short-time compensation employer of that
  337  individual.
  338         (c) The department may not deny short-time compensation
  339  benefits to an individual who is otherwise eligible for these
  340  benefits for any week because such individual is participating
  341  in an employer-sponsored training or a training under the
  342  Workforce Investment Act to improve job skills when the training
  343  is approved by the department.
  344         (d)(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
  345  an individual is deemed unemployed in any week for which
  346  compensation is payable to her or him, as an employee in an
  347  affected unit, for less than her or his normal weekly hours of
  348  work in accordance with an approved short-time compensation plan
  349  in effect for the week.
  350         Section 7. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
  351  443.141, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  352         443.141 Collection of contributions and reimbursements.—
  353         (1) PAST DUE CONTRIBUTIONS AND REIMBURSEMENTS; DELINQUENT,
  354  ERRONEOUS, INCOMPLETE, OR INSUFFICIENT REPORTS.—
  355         (f) Payments for 2012, 2013, and 2014 contributions.—For an
  356  annual administrative fee not to exceed $5, a contributing
  357  employer may pay its quarterly contributions due for wages paid
  358  in the first three quarters of each year of 2012, 2013, and 2014
  359  in equal installments if those contributions are paid as
  360  follows:
  361         1. For contributions due for wages paid in the first
  362  quarter of each year, one-fourth of the contributions due must
  363  be paid on or before April 30, one-fourth must be paid on or
  364  before July 31, one-fourth must be paid on or before October 31,
  365  and one-fourth must be paid on or before December 31.
  366         2. In addition to the payments specified in subparagraph
  367  1., for contributions due for wages paid in the second quarter
  368  of each year, one-third of the contributions due must be paid on
  369  or before July 31, one-third must be paid on or before October
  370  31, and one-third must be paid on or before December 31.
  371         3. In addition to the payments specified in subparagraphs
  372  1. and 2., for contributions due for wages paid in the third
  373  quarter of each year, one-half of the contributions due must be
  374  paid on or before October 31, and one-half must be paid on or
  375  before December 31.
  376         4. The annual administrative fee assessed for electing to
  377  pay under the installment method shall be collected at the time
  378  the employer makes the first installment payment each year. The
  379  fee shall be segregated from the payment and deposited into the
  380  Operating Trust Fund of the Department of Revenue.
  381         5. Interest does not accrue on any contribution that
  382  becomes due for wages paid in the first three quarters of each
  383  year if the employer pays the contribution in accordance with
  384  subparagraphs 1.-4. Interest and fees continue to accrue on
  385  prior delinquent contributions and commence accruing on all
  386  contributions due for wages paid in the first three quarters of
  387  each year which are not paid in accordance with subparagraphs
  388  1.-3. Penalties may be assessed in accordance with this chapter.
  389  The contributions due for wages paid in the fourth quarter of
  390  2012, 2013, and 2014 are not affected by this paragraph and are
  391  due and payable in accordance with this chapter.
  392         Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  393  125.271, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  394         125.271 Emergency medical services; county emergency
  395  medical service assessments.—
  396         (1) As used in this section, the term “county” means:
  397         (a) A county that is within a rural area of opportunity
  398  critical economic concern as designated by the Governor pursuant
  399  to s. 288.0656;
  400  
  401  Once a county has qualified under this subsection, it always
  402  retains the qualification.
  403         Section 9. Paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of subsection (7)
  404  of section 163.3177, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  405         163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive
  406  plan; studies and surveys.—
  407         (7)(a) The Legislature finds that:
  408         1. There are a number of rural agricultural industrial
  409  centers in the state that process, produce, or aid in the
  410  production or distribution of a variety of agriculturally based
  411  products, including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables,
  412  timber, and other crops, and juices, paper, and building
  413  materials. Rural agricultural industrial centers have a
  414  significant amount of existing associated infrastructure that is
  415  used for processing, producing, or distributing agricultural
  416  products.
  417         2. Such rural agricultural industrial centers are often
  418  located within or near communities in which the economy is
  419  largely dependent upon agriculture and agriculturally based
  420  products. The centers significantly enhance the economy of such
  421  communities. However, these agriculturally based communities are
  422  often socioeconomically challenged and designated as rural areas
  423  of opportunity critical economic concern. If such rural
  424  agricultural industrial centers are lost and not replaced with
  425  other job-creating enterprises, the agriculturally based
  426  communities will lose a substantial amount of their economies.
  427         3. The state has a compelling interest in preserving the
  428  viability of agriculture and protecting rural agricultural
  429  communities and the state from the economic upheaval that would
  430  result from short-term or long-term adverse changes in the
  431  agricultural economy. To protect these communities and promote
  432  viable agriculture for the long term, it is essential to
  433  encourage and permit diversification of existing rural
  434  agricultural industrial centers by providing for jobs that are
  435  not solely dependent upon, but are compatible with and
  436  complement, existing agricultural industrial operations and to
  437  encourage the creation and expansion of industries that use
  438  agricultural products in innovative ways. However, the expansion
  439  and diversification of these existing centers must be
  440  accomplished in a manner that does not promote urban sprawl into
  441  surrounding agricultural and rural areas.
  442         (b) As used in this subsection, the term “rural
  443  agricultural industrial center” means a developed parcel of land
  444  in an unincorporated area on which there exists an operating
  445  agricultural industrial facility or facilities that employ at
  446  least 200 full-time employees in the aggregate and process and
  447  prepare for transport a farm product, as defined in s. 163.3162,
  448  or any biomass material that could be used, directly or
  449  indirectly, for the production of fuel, renewable energy,
  450  bioenergy, or alternative fuel as defined by law. The center may
  451  also include land contiguous to the facility site which is not
  452  used for the cultivation of crops, but on which other existing
  453  activities essential to the operation of such facility or
  454  facilities are located or conducted. The parcel of land must be
  455  located within, or within 10 miles of, a rural area of
  456  opportunity critical economic concern.
  457         (e) Nothing in This subsection does not shall be construed
  458  to confer the status of rural area of opportunity critical
  459  economic concern, or any of the rights or benefits derived from
  460  such status, on any land area not otherwise designated as such
  461  pursuant to s. 288.0656(7).
  462         Section 10. Subsection (3) of section 163.3187, Florida
  463  Statutes, is amended to read:
  464         163.3187 Process for adoption of small-scale comprehensive
  465  plan amendment.—
  466         (3) If the small scale development amendment involves a
  467  site within a rural area of opportunity critical economic
  468  concern as defined under s. 288.0656(2)(d) for the duration of
  469  such designation, the 10-acre limit listed in subsection (1)
  470  shall be increased by 100 percent to 20 acres. The local
  471  government approving the small scale plan amendment shall
  472  certify to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
  473  Development that the plan amendment furthers the economic
  474  objectives set forth in the executive order issued under s.
  475  288.0656(7), and the property subject to the plan amendment
  476  shall undergo public review to ensure that all concurrency
  477  requirements and federal, state, and local environmental permit
  478  requirements are met.
  479         Section 11. Subsection (10) of section 163.3246, Florida
  480  Statutes, is amended to read:
  481         163.3246 Local government comprehensive planning
  482  certification program.—
  483         (10) Notwithstanding subsections (2), (4), (5), (6), and
  484  (7), any municipality designated as a rural area of opportunity
  485  critical economic concern pursuant to s. 288.0656 which is
  486  located within a county eligible to levy the Small County Surtax
  487  under s. 212.055(3) shall be considered certified during the
  488  effectiveness of the designation of rural area of opportunity
  489  critical economic concern. The state land planning agency shall
  490  provide a written notice of certification to the local
  491  government of the certified area, which shall be considered
  492  final agency action subject to challenge under s. 120.569. The
  493  notice of certification shall include the following components:
  494         (a) The boundary of the certification area.
  495         (b) A requirement that the local government submit either
  496  an annual or biennial monitoring report to the state land
  497  planning agency according to the schedule provided in the
  498  written notice. The monitoring report shall, at a minimum,
  499  include the number of amendments to the comprehensive plan
  500  adopted by the local government, the number of plan amendments
  501  challenged by an affected person, and the disposition of those
  502  challenges.
  503         Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
  504  211.3103, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  505         211.3103 Levy of tax on severance of phosphate rock; rate,
  506  basis, and distribution of tax.—
  507         (6)(a) Beginning July 1 of the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the
  508  proceeds of all taxes, interest, and penalties imposed under
  509  this section are exempt from the general revenue service charge
  510  provided in s. 215.20, and such proceeds shall be paid into the
  511  State Treasury as follows:
  512         1. To the credit of the Conservation and Recreation Lands
  513  Trust Fund, 25.5 percent.
  514         2. To the credit of the General Revenue Fund of the state,
  515  35.7 percent.
  516         3. For payment to counties in proportion to the number of
  517  tons of phosphate rock produced from a phosphate rock matrix
  518  located within such political boundary, 12.8 percent. The
  519  department shall distribute this portion of the proceeds
  520  annually based on production information reported by the
  521  producers on the annual returns for the taxable year. Any such
  522  proceeds received by a county shall be used only for phosphate
  523  related expenses.
  524         4. For payment to counties that have been designated as a
  525  rural area of opportunity critical economic concern pursuant to
  526  s. 288.0656 in proportion to the number of tons of phosphate
  527  rock produced from a phosphate rock matrix located within such
  528  political boundary, 10.0 percent. The department shall
  529  distribute this portion of the proceeds annually based on
  530  production information reported by the producers on the annual
  531  returns for the taxable year. Payments under this subparagraph
  532  shall be made to the counties unless the Legislature by special
  533  act creates a local authority to promote and direct the economic
  534  development of the county. If such authority exists, payments
  535  shall be made to that authority.
  536         5. To the credit of the Nonmandatory Land Reclamation Trust
  537  Fund, 6.2 percent.
  538         6. To the credit of the Phosphate Research Trust Fund in
  539  the Division of Universities of the Department of Education, 6.2
  540  percent.
  541         7. To the credit of the Minerals Trust Fund, 3.6 percent.
  542         Section 13. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  543  212.098, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  544         212.098 Rural Job Tax Credit Program.—
  545         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  546         (c) “Qualified area” means any area that is contained
  547  within a rural area of opportunity critical economic concern
  548  designated under s. 288.0656, a county that has a population of
  549  fewer than 75,000 persons, or a county that has a population of
  550  125,000 or less and is contiguous to a county that has a
  551  population of less than 75,000, selected in the following
  552  manner: every third year, the Department of Economic Opportunity
  553  shall rank and tier the state’s counties according to the
  554  following four factors:
  555         1. Highest unemployment rate for the most recent 36-month
  556  period.
  557         2. Lowest per capita income for the most recent 36-month
  558  period.
  559         3. Highest percentage of residents whose incomes are below
  560  the poverty level, based upon the most recent data available.
  561         4. Average weekly manufacturing wage, based upon the most
  562  recent data available.
  563         Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 218.67, Florida
  564  Statutes, is amended to read:
  565         218.67 Distribution for fiscally constrained counties.—
  566         (1) Each county that is entirely within a rural area of
  567  opportunity critical economic concern as designated by the
  568  Governor pursuant to s. 288.0656 or each county for which the
  569  value of a mill will raise no more than $5 million in revenue,
  570  based on the taxable value certified pursuant to s.
  571  1011.62(4)(a)1.a., from the previous July 1, shall be considered
  572  a fiscally constrained county.
  573         Section 15. Subsection (1) of section 288.018, Florida
  574  Statutes, is amended to read:
  575         288.018 Regional Rural Development Grants Program.—
  576         (1) The department shall establish a matching grant program
  577  to provide funding to regionally based economic development
  578  organizations representing rural counties and communities for
  579  the purpose of building the professional capacity of their
  580  organizations. Such matching grants may also be used by an
  581  economic development organization to provide technical
  582  assistance to businesses within the rural counties and
  583  communities that it serves. The department is authorized to
  584  approve, on an annual basis, grants to such regionally based
  585  economic development organizations. The maximum amount an
  586  organization may receive in any year will be $35,000, or
  587  $100,000 in a rural area of opportunity critical economic
  588  concern recommended by the Rural Economic Development Initiative
  589  and designated by the Governor, and must be matched each year by
  590  an equivalent amount of nonstate resources.
  591         Section 16. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (2) of
  592  section 288.065, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  593         288.065 Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.—
  594         (2)(a) The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan
  595  guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local
  596  governments, or economic development organizations substantially
  597  underwritten by a unit of local government, within counties with
  598  populations of 75,000 or fewer, or within any county with a
  599  population of 125,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county
  600  with a population of 75,000 or fewer, based on the most recent
  601  official population estimate as determined under s. 186.901,
  602  including those residing in incorporated areas and those
  603  residing in unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of
  604  local government, or economic development organizations
  605  substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within
  606  a rural area of opportunity critical economic concern.
  607         (c) All repayments of principal and interest shall be
  608  returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to other
  609  applicants. However, in a rural area of opportunity critical
  610  economic concern designated by the Governor, and upon approval
  611  by the department, repayments of principal and interest may be
  612  retained by the applicant if such repayments are dedicated and
  613  matched to fund regionally based economic development
  614  organizations representing the rural area of opportunity
  615  critical economic concern.
  616         Section 17. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of subsection (2)
  617  of section 288.0655, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  618         288.0655 Rural Infrastructure Fund.—
  619         (2)
  620         (b) To facilitate access of rural communities and rural
  621  areas of opportunity critical economic concern as defined by the
  622  Rural Economic Development Initiative to infrastructure funding
  623  programs of the Federal Government, such as those offered by the
  624  United States Department of Agriculture and the United States
  625  Department of Commerce, and state programs, including those
  626  offered by Rural Economic Development Initiative agencies, and
  627  to facilitate local government or private infrastructure funding
  628  efforts, the department may award grants for up to 30 percent of
  629  the total infrastructure project cost. If an application for
  630  funding is for a catalyst site, as defined in s. 288.0656, the
  631  department may award grants for up to 40 percent of the total
  632  infrastructure project cost. Eligible projects must be related
  633  to specific job-creation or job-retention opportunities.
  634  Eligible projects may also include improving any inadequate
  635  infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action that
  636  prohibits economic or community growth or reducing the costs to
  637  community users of proposed infrastructure improvements that
  638  exceed such costs in comparable communities. Eligible uses of
  639  funds shall include improvements to public infrastructure for
  640  industrial or commercial sites and upgrades to or development of
  641  public tourism infrastructure. Authorized infrastructure may
  642  include the following public or public-private partnership
  643  facilities: storm water systems; telecommunications facilities;
  644  broadband facilities; roads or other remedies to transportation
  645  impediments; nature-based tourism facilities; or other physical
  646  requirements necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and
  647  economic development activities in the community. Authorized
  648  infrastructure may also include publicly or privately owned
  649  self-powered nature-based tourism facilities, publicly owned
  650  telecommunications facilities, and broadband facilities, and
  651  additions to the distribution facilities of the existing natural
  652  gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the existing electric
  653  utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the existing water or
  654  wastewater utility as defined in s. 367.021(12), or any other
  655  existing water or wastewater facility, which owns a gas or
  656  electric distribution system or a water or wastewater system in
  657  this state where:
  658         1. A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to
  659  serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the
  660  tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater
  661  utility as defined herein; and
  662         2. Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able to
  663  provide such service.
  664         (c) To facilitate timely response and induce the location
  665  or expansion of specific job creating opportunities, the
  666  department may award grants for infrastructure feasibility
  667  studies, design and engineering activities, or other
  668  infrastructure planning and preparation activities. Authorized
  669  grants shall be up to $50,000 for an employment project with a
  670  business committed to create at least 100 jobs; up to $150,000
  671  for an employment project with a business committed to create at
  672  least 300 jobs; and up to $300,000 for a project in a rural area
  673  of opportunity critical economic concern. Grants awarded under
  674  this paragraph may be used in conjunction with grants awarded
  675  under paragraph (b), provided that the total amount of both
  676  grants does not exceed 30 percent of the total project cost. In
  677  evaluating applications under this paragraph, the department
  678  shall consider the extent to which the application seeks to
  679  minimize administrative and consultant expenses.
  680         (e) To enable local governments to access the resources
  681  available pursuant to s. 403.973(18), the department may award
  682  grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other activities
  683  related to the identification and preclearance review of land
  684  which is suitable for preclearance review. Authorized grants
  685  under this paragraph may shall not exceed $75,000 each, except
  686  in the case of a project in a rural area of opportunity critical
  687  economic concern, in which case the grant may shall not exceed
  688  $300,000. Any funds awarded under this paragraph must be matched
  689  at a level of 50 percent with local funds, except that any funds
  690  awarded for a project in a rural area of opportunity critical
  691  economic concern must be matched at a level of 33 percent with
  692  local funds. If an application for funding is for a catalyst
  693  site, as defined in s. 288.0656, the requirement for local match
  694  may be waived pursuant to the process in s. 288.06561. In
  695  evaluating applications under this paragraph, the department
  696  shall consider the extent to which the application seeks to
  697  minimize administrative and consultant expenses.
  698         Section 18. Paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of subsection (2)
  699  and subsection (7) of section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, are
  700  amended to read:
  701         288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative.—
  702         (2) As used in this section, the term:
  703         (a) “Catalyst project” means a business locating or
  704  expanding in a rural area of opportunity critical economic
  705  concern to serve as an economic generator of regional
  706  significance for the growth of a regional target industry
  707  cluster. The project must provide capital investment on a scale
  708  significant enough to affect the entire region and result in the
  709  development of high-wage and high-skill jobs.
  710         (b) “Catalyst site” means a parcel or parcels of land
  711  within a rural area of opportunity critical economic concern
  712  that has been prioritized as a geographic site for economic
  713  development through partnerships with state, regional, and local
  714  organizations. The site must be reviewed by REDI and approved by
  715  the department for the purposes of locating a catalyst project.
  716         (d) “Rural area of opportunity critical economic concern”
  717  means a rural community, or a region composed of rural
  718  communities, designated by the Governor, which that has been
  719  adversely affected by an extraordinary economic event, severe or
  720  chronic distress, or a natural disaster or that presents a
  721  unique economic development opportunity of regional impact.
  722         (7)(a) REDI may recommend to the Governor up to three rural
  723  areas of opportunity critical economic concern. The Governor may
  724  by executive order designate up to three rural areas of
  725  opportunity critical economic concern which will establish these
  726  areas as priority assignments for REDI as well as to allow the
  727  Governor, acting through REDI, to waive criteria, requirements,
  728  or similar provisions of any economic development incentive.
  729  Such incentives shall include, but are not be limited to,: the
  730  Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program under s. 288.106,
  731  the Quick Response Training Program under s. 288.047, the Quick
  732  Response Training Program for participants in the welfare
  733  transition program under s. 288.047(8), transportation projects
  734  under s. 339.2821, the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund
  735  under s. 288.107, and the rural job tax credit program under ss.
  736  212.098 and 220.1895.
  737         (b) Designation as a rural area of opportunity critical
  738  economic concern under this subsection shall be contingent upon
  739  the execution of a memorandum of agreement among the department;
  740  the governing body of the county; and the governing bodies of
  741  any municipalities to be included within a rural area of
  742  opportunity critical economic concern. Such agreement shall
  743  specify the terms and conditions of the designation, including,
  744  but not limited to, the duties and responsibilities of the
  745  county and any participating municipalities to take actions
  746  designed to facilitate the retention and expansion of existing
  747  businesses in the area, as well as the recruitment of new
  748  businesses to the area.
  749         (c) Each rural area of opportunity critical economic
  750  concern may designate catalyst projects, provided that each
  751  catalyst project is specifically recommended by REDI, identified
  752  as a catalyst project by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and confirmed
  753  as a catalyst project by the department. All state agencies and
  754  departments shall use all available tools and resources to the
  755  extent permissible by law to promote the creation and
  756  development of each catalyst project and the development of
  757  catalyst sites.
  758         Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  759  288.1088, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  760         288.1088 Quick Action Closing Fund.—
  761         (3)(a) The department and Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall
  762  jointly review applications pursuant to s. 288.061 and determine
  763  the eligibility of each project consistent with the criteria in
  764  subsection (2). Waiver of these criteria may be considered under
  765  the following criteria:
  766         1. Based on extraordinary circumstances;
  767         2. In order to mitigate the impact of the conclusion of the
  768  space shuttle program; or
  769         3. In rural areas of opportunity critical economic concern
  770  if the project would significantly benefit the local or regional
  771  economy.
  772         Section 20. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (4)
  773  of section 288.1089, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  774         288.1089 Innovation Incentive Program.—
  775         (4) To qualify for review by the department, the applicant
  776  must, at a minimum, establish the following to the satisfaction
  777  of the department:
  778         (b) A research and development project must:
  779         1. Serve as a catalyst for an emerging or evolving
  780  technology cluster.
  781         2. Demonstrate a plan for significant higher education
  782  collaboration.
  783         3. Provide the state, at a minimum, a cumulative break-even
  784  economic benefit within a 20-year period.
  785         4. Be provided with a one-to-one match from the local
  786  community. The match requirement may be reduced or waived in
  787  rural areas of opportunity critical economic concern or reduced
  788  in rural areas, brownfield areas, and enterprise zones.
  789         (c) An innovation business project in this state, other
  790  than a research and development project, must:
  791         1.a. Result in the creation of at least 1,000 direct, new
  792  jobs at the business; or
  793         b. Result in the creation of at least 500 direct, new jobs
  794  if the project is located in a rural area, a brownfield area, or
  795  an enterprise zone.
  796         2. Have an activity or product that is within an industry
  797  that is designated as a target industry business under s.
  798  288.106 or a designated sector under s. 288.108.
  799         3.a. Have a cumulative investment of at least $500 million
  800  within a 5-year period; or
  801         b. Have a cumulative investment that exceeds $250 million
  802  within a 10-year period if the project is located in a rural
  803  area, brownfield area, or an enterprise zone.
  804         4. Be provided with a one-to-one match from the local
  805  community. The match requirement may be reduced or waived in
  806  rural areas of opportunity critical economic concern or reduced
  807  in rural areas, brownfield areas, and enterprise zones.
  808         (d) For an alternative and renewable energy project in this
  809  state, the project must:
  810         1. Demonstrate a plan for significant collaboration with an
  811  institution of higher education;
  812         2. Provide the state, at a minimum, a cumulative break-even
  813  economic benefit within a 20-year period;
  814         3. Include matching funds provided by the applicant or
  815  other available sources. The match requirement may be reduced or
  816  waived in rural areas of opportunity critical economic concern
  817  or reduced in rural areas, brownfield areas, and enterprise
  818  zones;
  819         4. Be located in this state; and
  820         5. Provide at least 35 direct, new jobs that pay an
  821  estimated annual average wage that equals at least 130 percent
  822  of the average private sector wage.
  823         Section 21. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
  824  290.0055, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  825         290.0055 Local nominating procedure.—
  826         (6)
  827         (d)1. The governing body of a jurisdiction which has
  828  nominated an application for an enterprise zone that is at least
  829  15 square miles and less than 20 square miles and includes a
  830  portion of the state designated as a rural area of opportunity
  831  critical economic concern under s. 288.0656(7) may apply to the
  832  department to expand the boundary of the existing enterprise
  833  zone by not more than 3 square miles.
  834         2. The governing body of a jurisdiction which has nominated
  835  an application for an enterprise zone that is at least 20 square
  836  miles and includes a portion of the state designated as a rural
  837  area of opportunity critical economic concern under s.
  838  288.0656(7) may apply to the department to expand the boundary
  839  of the existing enterprise zone by not more than 5 square miles.
  840         3. An application to expand the boundary of an enterprise
  841  zone under this paragraph must be submitted by December 31,
  842  2013.
  843         4. Notwithstanding the area limitations specified in
  844  subsection (4), the department may approve the request for a
  845  boundary amendment if the area continues to satisfy the
  846  remaining requirements of this section.
  847         5. The department shall establish the initial effective
  848  date of an enterprise zone designated under this paragraph.
  849         Section 22. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section
  850  339.2819, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  851         339.2819 Transportation Regional Incentive Program.—
  852         (4)
  853         (c) The department shall give priority to projects that:
  854         1. Provide connectivity to the Strategic Intermodal System
  855  developed under s. 339.64.
  856         2. Support economic development and the movement of goods
  857  in rural areas of opportunity critical economic concern
  858  designated under s. 288.0656(7).
  859         3. Are subject to a local ordinance that establishes
  860  corridor management techniques, including access management
  861  strategies, right-of-way acquisition and protection measures,
  862  appropriate land use strategies, zoning, and setback
  863  requirements for adjacent land uses.
  864         4. Improve connectivity between military installations and
  865  the Strategic Highway Network or the Strategic Rail Corridor
  866  Network.
  867  
  868  The department shall also consider the extent to which local
  869  matching funds are available to be committed to the project.
  870         Section 23. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
  871  339.63, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  872         339.63 System facilities designated; additions and
  873  deletions.—
  874         (5)
  875         (b) A facility designated part of the Strategic Intermodal
  876  System pursuant to paragraph (a) that is within the jurisdiction
  877  of a local government that maintains a transportation
  878  concurrency system shall receive a waiver of transportation
  879  concurrency requirements applicable to Strategic Intermodal
  880  System facilities in order to accommodate any development at the
  881  facility which occurs pursuant to a building permit issued on or
  882  before December 31, 2017, but only if such facility is located:
  883         1. Within an area designated pursuant to s. 288.0656(7) as
  884  a rural area of opportunity critical economic concern;
  885         2. Within a rural enterprise zone as defined in s.
  886  290.004(5); or
  887         3. Within 15 miles of the boundary of a rural area of
  888  opportunity critical economic concern or a rural enterprise
  889  zone.
  890         Section 24. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
  891  373.4595, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  892         373.4595 Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection
  893  Program.—
  894         (3) LAKE OKEECHOBEE WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM.—A
  895  protection program for Lake Okeechobee that achieves phosphorus
  896  load reductions for Lake Okeechobee shall be immediately
  897  implemented as specified in this subsection. The program shall
  898  address the reduction of phosphorus loading to the lake from
  899  both internal and external sources. Phosphorus load reductions
  900  shall be achieved through a phased program of implementation.
  901  Initial implementation actions shall be technology-based, based
  902  upon a consideration of both the availability of appropriate
  903  technology and the cost of such technology, and shall include
  904  phosphorus reduction measures at both the source and the
  905  regional level. The initial phase of phosphorus load reductions
  906  shall be based upon the district’s Technical Publication 81-2
  907  and the district’s WOD program, with subsequent phases of
  908  phosphorus load reductions based upon the total maximum daily
  909  loads established in accordance with s. 403.067. In the
  910  development and administration of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed
  911  Protection Program, the coordinating agencies shall maximize
  912  opportunities provided by federal cost-sharing programs and
  913  opportunities for partnerships with the private sector.
  914         (c) Lake Okeechobee Watershed Phosphorus Control Program.
  915  The Lake Okeechobee Watershed Phosphorus Control Program is
  916  designed to be a multifaceted approach to reducing phosphorus
  917  loads by improving the management of phosphorus sources within
  918  the Lake Okeechobee watershed through implementation of
  919  regulations and best management practices, development and
  920  implementation of improved best management practices,
  921  improvement and restoration of the hydrologic function of
  922  natural and managed systems, and utilization of alternative
  923  technologies for nutrient reduction. The coordinating agencies
  924  shall facilitate the application of federal programs that offer
  925  opportunities for water quality treatment, including
  926  preservation, restoration, or creation of wetlands on
  927  agricultural lands.
  928         1. Agricultural nonpoint source best management practices,
  929  developed in accordance with s. 403.067 and designed to achieve
  930  the objectives of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Protection
  931  Program, shall be implemented on an expedited basis. The
  932  coordinating agencies shall develop an interagency agreement
  933  pursuant to ss. 373.046 and 373.406(5) that assures the
  934  development of best management practices that complement
  935  existing regulatory programs and specifies how those best
  936  management practices are implemented and verified. The
  937  interagency agreement shall address measures to be taken by the
  938  coordinating agencies during any best management practice
  939  reevaluation performed pursuant to sub-subparagraph d. The
  940  department shall use best professional judgment in making the
  941  initial determination of best management practice effectiveness.
  942         a. As provided in s. 403.067(7)(c), the Department of
  943  Agriculture and Consumer Services, in consultation with the
  944  department, the district, and affected parties, shall initiate
  945  rule development for interim measures, best management
  946  practices, conservation plans, nutrient management plans, or
  947  other measures necessary for Lake Okeechobee watershed total
  948  maximum daily load reduction. The rule shall include thresholds
  949  for requiring conservation and nutrient management plans and
  950  criteria for the contents of such plans. Development of
  951  agricultural nonpoint source best management practices shall
  952  initially focus on those priority basins listed in subparagraph
  953  (b)1. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in
  954  consultation with the department, the district, and affected
  955  parties, shall conduct an ongoing program for improvement of
  956  existing and development of new interim measures or best
  957  management practices for the purpose of adoption of such
  958  practices by rule. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer
  959  Services shall work with the University of Florida’s Institute
  960  of Food and Agriculture Sciences to review and, where
  961  appropriate, develop revised nutrient application rates for all
  962  agricultural soil amendments in the watershed.
  963         b. Where agricultural nonpoint source best management
  964  practices or interim measures have been adopted by rule of the
  965  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the owner or
  966  operator of an agricultural nonpoint source addressed by such
  967  rule shall either implement interim measures or best management
  968  practices or demonstrate compliance with the district’s WOD
  969  program by conducting monitoring prescribed by the department or
  970  the district. Owners or operators of agricultural nonpoint
  971  sources who implement interim measures or best management
  972  practices adopted by rule of the Department of Agriculture and
  973  Consumer Services shall be subject to the provisions of s.
  974  403.067(7). The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
  975  in cooperation with the department and the district, shall
  976  provide technical and financial assistance for implementation of
  977  agricultural best management practices, subject to the
  978  availability of funds.
  979         c. The district or department shall conduct monitoring at
  980  representative sites to verify the effectiveness of agricultural
  981  nonpoint source best management practices.
  982         d. Where water quality problems are detected for
  983  agricultural nonpoint sources despite the appropriate
  984  implementation of adopted best management practices, the
  985  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in consultation
  986  with the other coordinating agencies and affected parties, shall
  987  institute a reevaluation of the best management practices and
  988  make appropriate changes to the rule adopting best management
  989  practices.
  990         2. Nonagricultural nonpoint source best management
  991  practices, developed in accordance with s. 403.067 and designed
  992  to achieve the objectives of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed
  993  Protection Program, shall be implemented on an expedited basis.
  994  The department and the district shall develop an interagency
  995  agreement pursuant to ss. 373.046 and 373.406(5) that assures
  996  the development of best management practices that complement
  997  existing regulatory programs and specifies how those best
  998  management practices are implemented and verified. The
  999  interagency agreement shall address measures to be taken by the
 1000  department and the district during any best management practice
 1001  reevaluation performed pursuant to sub-subparagraph d.
 1002         a. The department and the district are directed to work
 1003  with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and
 1004  Agricultural Sciences to develop appropriate nutrient
 1005  application rates for all nonagricultural soil amendments in the
 1006  watershed. As provided in s. 403.067(7)(c), the department, in
 1007  consultation with the district and affected parties, shall
 1008  develop interim measures, best management practices, or other
 1009  measures necessary for Lake Okeechobee watershed total maximum
 1010  daily load reduction. Development of nonagricultural nonpoint
 1011  source best management practices shall initially focus on those
 1012  priority basins listed in subparagraph (b)1. The department, the
 1013  district, and affected parties shall conduct an ongoing program
 1014  for improvement of existing and development of new interim
 1015  measures or best management practices. The district shall adopt
 1016  technology-based standards under the district’s WOD program for
 1017  nonagricultural nonpoint sources of phosphorus. Nothing in this
 1018  sub-subparagraph shall affect the authority of the department or
 1019  the district to adopt basin-specific criteria under this part to
 1020  prevent harm to the water resources of the district.
 1021         b. Where nonagricultural nonpoint source best management
 1022  practices or interim measures have been developed by the
 1023  department and adopted by the district, the owner or operator of
 1024  a nonagricultural nonpoint source shall implement interim
 1025  measures or best management practices and be subject to the
 1026  provisions of s. 403.067(7). The department and district shall
 1027  provide technical and financial assistance for implementation of
 1028  nonagricultural nonpoint source best management practices,
 1029  subject to the availability of funds.
 1030         c. The district or the department shall conduct monitoring
 1031  at representative sites to verify the effectiveness of
 1032  nonagricultural nonpoint source best management practices.
 1033         d. Where water quality problems are detected for
 1034  nonagricultural nonpoint sources despite the appropriate
 1035  implementation of adopted best management practices, the
 1036  department and the district shall institute a reevaluation of
 1037  the best management practices.
 1038         3. The provisions of subparagraphs 1. and 2. may shall not
 1039  preclude the department or the district from requiring
 1040  compliance with water quality standards or with current best
 1041  management practices requirements set forth in any applicable
 1042  regulatory program authorized by law for the purpose of
 1043  protecting water quality. Additionally, subparagraphs 1. and 2.
 1044  are applicable only to the extent that they do not conflict with
 1045  any rules adopted promulgated by the department that are
 1046  necessary to maintain a federally delegated or approved program.
 1047         4. Projects that reduce the phosphorus load originating
 1048  from domestic wastewater systems within the Lake Okeechobee
 1049  watershed shall be given funding priority in the department’s
 1050  revolving loan program under s. 403.1835. The department shall
 1051  coordinate and provide assistance to those local governments
 1052  seeking financial assistance for such priority projects.
 1053         5. Projects that make use of private lands, or lands held
 1054  in trust for Indian tribes, to reduce nutrient loadings or
 1055  concentrations within a basin by one or more of the following
 1056  methods: restoring the natural hydrology of the basin, restoring
 1057  wildlife habitat or impacted wetlands, reducing peak flows after
 1058  storm events, increasing aquifer recharge, or protecting range
 1059  and timberland from conversion to development, are eligible for
 1060  grants available under this section from the coordinating
 1061  agencies. For projects of otherwise equal priority, special
 1062  funding priority will be given to those projects that make best
 1063  use of the methods outlined above that involve public-private
 1064  partnerships or that obtain federal match money. Preference
 1065  ranking above the special funding priority will be given to
 1066  projects located in a rural area of opportunity critical
 1067  economic concern designated by the Governor. Grant applications
 1068  may be submitted by any person or tribal entity, and eligible
 1069  projects may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of
 1070  conservation and flowage easements, hydrologic restoration of
 1071  wetlands, creating treatment wetlands, development of a
 1072  management plan for natural resources, and financial support to
 1073  implement a management plan.
 1074         6.a. The department shall require all entities disposing of
 1075  domestic wastewater residuals within the Lake Okeechobee
 1076  watershed and the remaining areas of Okeechobee, Glades, and
 1077  Hendry Counties to develop and submit to the department an
 1078  agricultural use plan that limits applications based upon
 1079  phosphorus loading. By July 1, 2005, phosphorus concentrations
 1080  originating from these application sites may shall not exceed
 1081  the limits established in the district’s WOD program. After
 1082  December 31, 2007, the department may not authorize the disposal
 1083  of domestic wastewater residuals within the Lake Okeechobee
 1084  watershed unless the applicant can affirmatively demonstrate
 1085  that the phosphorus in the residuals will not add to phosphorus
 1086  loadings in Lake Okeechobee or its tributaries. This
 1087  demonstration shall be based on achieving a net balance between
 1088  phosphorus imports relative to exports on the permitted
 1089  application site. Exports shall include only phosphorus removed
 1090  from the Lake Okeechobee watershed through products generated on
 1091  the permitted application site. This prohibition does not apply
 1092  to Class AA residuals that are marketed and distributed as
 1093  fertilizer products in accordance with department rule.
 1094         b. Private and government-owned utilities within Monroe,
 1095  Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian
 1096  River, Okeechobee, Highlands, Hendry, and Glades Counties that
 1097  dispose of wastewater residual sludge from utility operations
 1098  and septic removal by land spreading in the Lake Okeechobee
 1099  watershed may use a line item on local sewer rates to cover
 1100  wastewater residual treatment and disposal if such disposal and
 1101  treatment is done by approved alternative treatment methodology
 1102  at a facility located within the areas designated by the
 1103  Governor as rural areas of opportunity critical economic concern
 1104  pursuant to s. 288.0656. This additional line item is an
 1105  environmental protection disposal fee above the present sewer
 1106  rate and may shall not be considered a part of the present sewer
 1107  rate to customers, notwithstanding provisions to the contrary in
 1108  chapter 367. The fee shall be established by the county
 1109  commission or its designated assignee in the county in which the
 1110  alternative method treatment facility is located. The fee shall
 1111  be calculated to be no higher than that necessary to recover the
 1112  facility’s prudent cost of providing the service. Upon request
 1113  by an affected county commission, the Florida Public Service
 1114  Commission will provide assistance in establishing the fee.
 1115  Further, for utilities and utility authorities that use the
 1116  additional line item environmental protection disposal fee, such
 1117  fee may shall not be considered a rate increase under the rules
 1118  of the Public Service Commission and shall be exempt from such
 1119  rules. Utilities using the provisions of this section may
 1120  immediately include in their sewer invoicing the new
 1121  environmental protection disposal fee. Proceeds from this
 1122  environmental protection disposal fee shall be used for
 1123  treatment and disposal of wastewater residuals, including any
 1124  treatment technology that helps reduce the volume of residuals
 1125  that require final disposal, but such proceeds may shall not be
 1126  used for transportation or shipment costs for disposal or any
 1127  costs relating to the land application of residuals in the Lake
 1128  Okeechobee watershed.
 1129         c. No less frequently than once every 3 years, the Florida
 1130  Public Service Commission or the county commission through the
 1131  services of an independent auditor shall perform a financial
 1132  audit of all facilities receiving compensation from an
 1133  environmental protection disposal fee. The Florida Public
 1134  Service Commission or the county commission through the services
 1135  of an independent auditor shall also perform an audit of the
 1136  methodology used in establishing the environmental protection
 1137  disposal fee. The Florida Public Service Commission or the
 1138  county commission shall, within 120 days after completion of an
 1139  audit, file the audit report with the President of the Senate
 1140  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall
 1141  provide copies to the county commissions of the counties set
 1142  forth in sub-subparagraph b. The books and records of any
 1143  facilities receiving compensation from an environmental
 1144  protection disposal fee shall be open to the Florida Public
 1145  Service Commission and the Auditor General for review upon
 1146  request.
 1147         7. The Department of Health shall require all entities
 1148  disposing of septage within the Lake Okeechobee watershed to
 1149  develop and submit to that agency an agricultural use plan that
 1150  limits applications based upon phosphorus loading. By July 1,
 1151  2005, phosphorus concentrations originating from these
 1152  application sites may shall not exceed the limits established in
 1153  the district’s WOD program.
 1154         8. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
 1155  shall initiate rulemaking requiring entities within the Lake
 1156  Okeechobee watershed which land-apply animal manure to develop
 1157  resource management system level conservation plans, according
 1158  to United States Department of Agriculture criteria, which limit
 1159  such application. Such rules may include criteria and thresholds
 1160  for the requirement to develop a conservation or nutrient
 1161  management plan, requirements for plan approval, and
 1162  recordkeeping requirements.
 1163         9. The district, the department, or the Department of
 1164  Agriculture and Consumer Services, as appropriate, shall
 1165  implement those alternative nutrient reduction technologies
 1166  determined to be feasible pursuant to subparagraph (d)6.
 1167         Section 25. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) and paragraph
 1168  (b) of subsection (26) of section 380.06, Florida Statutes, are
 1169  amended to read:
 1170         380.06 Developments of regional impact.—
 1171         (2) STATEWIDE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS.—
 1172         (e) With respect to residential, hotel, motel, office, and
 1173  retail developments, the applicable guidelines and standards
 1174  shall be increased by 50 percent in urban central business
 1175  districts and regional activity centers of jurisdictions whose
 1176  local comprehensive plans are in compliance with part II of
 1177  chapter 163. With respect to multiuse developments, the
 1178  applicable individual use guidelines and standards for
 1179  residential, hotel, motel, office, and retail developments and
 1180  multiuse guidelines and standards shall be increased by 100
 1181  percent in urban central business districts and regional
 1182  activity centers of jurisdictions whose local comprehensive
 1183  plans are in compliance with part II of chapter 163, if one land
 1184  use of the multiuse development is residential and amounts to
 1185  not less than 35 percent of the jurisdiction’s applicable
 1186  residential threshold. With respect to resort or convention
 1187  hotel developments, the applicable guidelines and standards
 1188  shall be increased by 150 percent in urban central business
 1189  districts and regional activity centers of jurisdictions whose
 1190  local comprehensive plans are in compliance with part II of
 1191  chapter 163 and where the increase is specifically for a
 1192  proposed resort or convention hotel located in a county with a
 1193  population greater than 500,000 and the local government
 1194  specifically designates that the proposed resort or convention
 1195  hotel development will serve an existing convention center of
 1196  more than 250,000 gross square feet built before prior to July
 1197  1, 1992. The applicable guidelines and standards shall be
 1198  increased by 150 percent for development in any area designated
 1199  by the Governor as a rural area of opportunity critical economic
 1200  concern pursuant to s. 288.0656 during the effectiveness of the
 1201  designation.
 1202         (26) ABANDONMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT.—
 1203         (b) Upon receipt of written confirmation from the state
 1204  land planning agency that any required mitigation applicable to
 1205  completed development has occurred, an industrial development of
 1206  regional impact located within the coastal high-hazard area of a
 1207  rural area of opportunity county of economic concern which was
 1208  approved before prior to the adoption of the local government’s
 1209  comprehensive plan required under s. 163.3167 and which plan’s
 1210  future land use map and zoning designates the land use for the
 1211  development of regional impact as commercial may be unilaterally
 1212  abandoned without the need to proceed through the process
 1213  described in paragraph (a) if the developer or owner provides a
 1214  notice of abandonment to the local government and records such
 1215  notice with the applicable clerk of court. Abandonment shall be
 1216  deemed to have occurred upon the recording of the notice. All
 1217  development following abandonment shall be fully consistent with
 1218  the current comprehensive plan and applicable zoning.
 1219         Section 26. Paragraph (g) of subsection (3) of section
 1220  380.0651, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1221         380.0651 Statewide guidelines and standards.—
 1222         (3) The following statewide guidelines and standards shall
 1223  be applied in the manner described in s. 380.06(2) to determine
 1224  whether the following developments shall be required to undergo
 1225  development-of-regional-impact review:
 1226         (g) Residential development.A No rule may not be adopted
 1227  concerning residential developments which treats a residential
 1228  development in one county as being located in a less populated
 1229  adjacent county unless more than 25 percent of the development
 1230  is located within 2 or less miles or less of the less populated
 1231  adjacent county. The residential thresholds of adjacent counties
 1232  with less population and a lower threshold may shall not be
 1233  controlling on any development wholly located within areas
 1234  designated as rural areas of opportunity critical economic
 1235  concern.
 1236         Section 27. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
 1237  985.686, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1238         985.686 Shared county and state responsibility for juvenile
 1239  detention.—
 1240         (2) As used in this section, the term:
 1241         (b) “Fiscally constrained county” means a county within a
 1242  rural area of opportunity critical economic concern as
 1243  designated by the Governor pursuant to s. 288.0656 or each
 1244  county for which the value of a mill will raise no more than $5
 1245  million in revenue, based on the certified school taxable value
 1246  certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., from the previous
 1247  July 1.
 1248         Section 28. Subsection (2) of section 1011.76, Florida
 1249  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1250         1011.76 Small School District Stabilization Program.—
 1251         (2) In order to participate in this program, a school
 1252  district must be located in a rural area of opportunity critical
 1253  economic concern designated by the Executive Office of the
 1254  Governor, and the district school board must submit a resolution
 1255  to the Department of Economic Opportunity requesting
 1256  participation in the program. A rural area of opportunity
 1257  critical economic concern must be a rural community, or a region
 1258  composed of such, that has been adversely affected by an
 1259  extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that
 1260  presents a unique economic development concern or opportunity of
 1261  regional impact. The resolution must be accompanied by with
 1262  documentation of the economic conditions in the community and,
 1263  provide information indicating the negative impact of these
 1264  conditions on the school district’s financial stability, and the
 1265  school district must participate in a best financial management
 1266  practices review to determine potential efficiencies that could
 1267  be implemented to reduce program costs in the district.
 1268         Section 29. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
 1269  215.425, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1270         215.425 Extra compensation claims prohibited; bonuses;
 1271  severance pay.—
 1272         (4)(a) On or after July 1, 2011, a unit of government that
 1273  enters into a contract or employment agreement, or renewal or
 1274  renegotiation of an existing contract or employment agreement,
 1275  that contains a provision for severance pay with an officer,
 1276  agent, employee, or contractor must include the following
 1277  provisions in the contract:
 1278         1. A requirement that severance pay provided may not exceed
 1279  an amount greater than 20 weeks of compensation.
 1280         2. A prohibition of provision of severance pay when the
 1281  officer, agent, employee, or contractor has been fired for
 1282  misconduct, as defined in s. 443.036(29) s. 443.036(30), by the
 1283  unit of government.
 1284         Section 30. Paragraph (f) of subsection (13) of section
 1285  443.1216, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1286         443.1216 Employment.—Employment, as defined in s. 443.036,
 1287  is subject to this chapter under the following conditions:
 1288         (13) The following are exempt from coverage under this
 1289  chapter:
 1290         (f) Service performed in the employ of a public employer as
 1291  defined in s. 443.036, except as provided in subsection (2), and
 1292  service performed in the employ of an instrumentality of a
 1293  public employer as described in s. 443.036(35)(b) or (c) s.
 1294  443.036(36)(b) or (c), to the extent that the instrumentality is
 1295  immune under the United States Constitution from the tax imposed
 1296  by s. 3301 of the Internal Revenue Code for that service.
 1297         Section 31. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014.